Internal-explosion engine



July 19, 1927.

W. F. CROUCH INTERNAL EXPLOSION ENGXNE Filed O61. V26. 1925 159 ven on Mz@ fmw y j ey' f f iw Patented July 19,1927.

A .UNITED 'STATES .Wm l'.

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My invention has'for its object an internal explosion engine of the 4two cycle double acting type, or of the two cycle single actin type, wit theparts designed and arran e i for minimum size and weight compare to the power output, without sacricing the eiliciency.`

The engine of my invention is characterized b `being free from` stuiiin boxes, and

has full floating pistons mounte on a sin le piston rod with all of the joints between t e explosion and compression compartments and the atmosphere made tight by the employment of piston rings.

My invention is especially designed to take care of expansion and contraction under the varying temperatures andI conditions of o ration and provides for the preheatlng of til); air employed in the explosive mixture 80 and special air cooling features for the piston head and surrounding parts and a special protection against the-temperatures of explosion from reaching the piston rod.

The slidin joints between the piston and rings and the several cylinder walls are lubricated by oil introduced with the intake air or mixture.

The engineof my design is adapted either to the employment of ex losive mixturesy 3o whether atom'zed into t e cylinders or drawn in as a\ mixture of'air and volatile hydrocarbon arid is also ada ted to ignition b any of the conventional evices as spark p ugs, heated bulbs, or the like.

-By referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein I haveshown a characteristic two cycle double acting engine, my invention will be made clear.

` In the drawin Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of one form of engine employing my invention.

Fi 2 is a fragmentary section on the line II I of Fig. 1.

Throughout the .iigures similar numerals refer to identical parts.

A. main base plate is indicated by the numeral 1, having machined receiving surfaces at 3, 4, 5 respectively and aslide surface-at 6 on which the cross head 7 is adapted to reciprocate during the operation of the englA connecting rod is shown at 8, from which the .power developed maybe employed A bearin is shown at 9 rigidly supported piston rod 10 is adapted to reciprocate.

At 11 and 1-2 are explosion cylinders water-jacketed at 13, 14 respectively.

Corresponding piston heads are 'shown at 15, 16 which may advantageously be provided with bailles 17, 18, and there are in any conventional manner. i

56 4on the mac ined surface 3 and in which the? providedconventional 4ex losion initiatingv means indicated by spark p u 19, 20, cylinder inlet ports 21, 22 and sscharge ports 23, 24 respectively'.

The explosion cylinders 11, 12 are joined bythe compression cylinder 25 as b conventional flanges and within this compres- -sion cylinder the piston head 26, 27 mounted on the shoulder. 28 of the r'od 10, and abutting against the iiange 29 is held in clamped relation thereto by the nut and isadapted `to reciprocate within. the compression cylinder 25.

The piston heads 15, 16 are here shown integrally formed with the ian e heads 26, 27 bolted together by the hol ing bolts 30 and the heads are formed with artitions 31, 32 whereby there are forme cooling chambers 33, 34 respectively, in the heads .15, 16 and through which the in-flowing explosive mixture circulates to cool the heads 15, 16.

While passing through the chambers 33, 34, the said mixture is also preheated prior to its entry in the compression cylinder 25. At 35, 36, 37, are shown outlet ports from the chambers 33, 34.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, where these ports are best shown, it will be noted that t e ports 35, 36 register with ports 38, 39 in the cylinder walls respectivel in one position during a reciprocatin stro e of the rod 10. They are set oi of t e center so as not to registerwith the port 21 during an'- other portion of the rod stroke.

The inlet ports for the explosive mixture are shownrespectively at 40, 41 and explo- Aimi ' der 25, this 35, 38 and 36 39 into the compression cylin-A description appxlymg durmg the time that the arts are in t e position shown in Figs. 1 an 2.

The compression space 43 in the cylinder 25 is thus filled wlth explosive mixture,

which during the' return stroke of the rod 10 in the direction of the arrow 44 is compressed, the ports l35, 36 at such time being out of registry with the ports 38, 39, and the mixture is then forced b the movement of the head 26, 27 out of t e port 45 and throu h the connecting pipe 46 at the timev that ti ciently to uncover the port 22, and scavenges the cylinder 12 of the gases resulting from the previous explosion. These ases now pass out through the ort 24 Whic is simultaneously uncovered y the head 16.

The next reciprocation stroke, when the rod 10 moves again to the right and into v.the full line position of Fig. 1, results 1n the compressing of the now contained explosive mixture in the cylinder 12 preparing it for ignition, as by the spark plug 20.

When the explosion occurs, the rod is again driven in the direction of the arrow 44 to the left; and the cycle of operations is repeated. 't

At the time the parts are in the full line position of Fig. 1, assuming that cylinder12 is now charged with compressed explosive mixture, ready to explode, or at the time of ex losion, the c linder 11 is being scavenge and charge with explosive mixture by previously compressed explosive mixture flowing from the compartment 47 throu h the pi e 48 and the port 21 into the c lin er 11 and the cylinder 11 now being c ar ed with explosive mixture, a compression ta es place therein during the stroke of the rod 10 in the direction of the arrow 44 under the -action of the expansion of exploded gases in cylinder 12.

It will thus be seen that while power is being developed through the movement to the left, in the direction of the arrow 44, by the piston head 16 under the action of the exploded gases in cylinder 12,.an ex losive charge is being compressed in cylin er 11, and when the rod arrives at the end of the stroke thecompressed mixture in the cylinder 11 is explo ed an'd the rod again driven to the right.

In this way there is an explosion of compressed explosive mixture at each stroke of the rod in each direction, corresponding rwith two explosions, to-wit: one in each cylinder during a completereciprocated cycle of the rod 10, resulting in what is known as a two cycle, double acting, internal explosion engine. l

It will be noted that metallic ring packing is employed throughout the movable Aparts, the piston head 15 being provided e head 26 has moved to the left sufliwith ring packing at 56 between the tubular member 52 and head l5 and at 5l between the wall of the cylinder 11 and the head 15, and in like manner the piston head 16 is provided with sealing rings at 54 between the piston and tubular member 55 and at 56 between the piston 16 and the cylinder 12.

The compression cylinder 25 and piston head 26, 27 is sealed in like manner by the rings 57. In mounting the parts on the bed plate 1, it is to be noted that the pedestal bearing 9 is rigidly iixed'thereto and that the cylinder 25 is preferably bolted solidly as on the late joint 4 whereas the foot 60 of "the cylin er member 11 and the foot 61 of the cylinder member 12 are allowed a sufficient freedom of movement on the faces 3 and 5 to allow for expansion and contraction while having their weight fully supported and alignment maintained.

The piston is full floating on the sealing rings before mentioned and in the bearing 9 and slide 64.

Tubular members 52 and 55 extend respectively inward as a portion of the castings of cylinders 11 and 12 respectively and are made of an internal diameter in excess of the rod 10 allowing the air space at 62 and 63 respectively whereby air is freely drawn in and forced out during a cycle of movements of the rod 10, thus cooling to an additional extent the cylinders 11 and 12 and insulating the rod 10 from the intense heat.

A baiile 69 may be provided to prevent the heated air forced out through the passage 62 from overheating the bearing 9.

The size of the c linder 25 is optional and may be made o such dimensions that the spaces 43, 47 correspond with a. 'greater volume than the cylinders 11 and 12 respectively.

This is particularly advantageous where my invention is employed in engines of the Diesel type.

The engine shown in the vdrawings and above described, is of the two cycle double acting type and embodies a preferential form of my invention, but it will now be understood that by employing the cylinders 11 and 12 bolted together without the intermediateor third cylinder 25 and employing one of these cylinders as a compression cylinder and the other as an explosion cylinder my engine may be operated as a two cycle single acting engine while employing the other features of my invention.

In such a construction the two cylinders, i. e. one rightand the other left. form in fact a single cylinder member with the piston acting therein to compress the mixture at one end and to receive the impulse of explosion from the other, and if preferred the two cylinders may be formed as a single casting in the conventional way with my invention embodied therein.

mames. 8

I have not shown any special means of ber is fixed and another portion of said bed oiling as 'I prefer to introduce the necessary plate on which another portion of said mem- .ring packing between the piston an scopin throug ber is fixed and another portion o-fsaid bed fpiston adapted to reci lubricant fOr the VeIiOuS` rubbing Surfaces ber .contacts with a freedom of movement to in minute quantities with the explosive mixallow for changes dueto temperaturevariature. This requires an extremely small tions. 1 quantit of oil which by this means is dis .4. In an internal explosion engine, a cylintribute throughoutthe entire running ]oint der member closed at each end and a piston portions of the engine. adapted to reciprocate therein, said piston I claim: -2- having a cylindrical opening through a or- 1.4 In an internal explosion engine, va eyl- `tion of its length and therebeyond fixe on Inder member Closed at 'each 'end and 8 a rod, said member having a bushing having piston adapted to reciprocate therein, Said a clearance Space around said rod telescopino` pistonhaving a' cylindricalopening through within Said opening, a rod passing throug a portion of its length and therebeyond fixed the closed. ends of. the cylinder member and en a rOd, sald member havmg e bilSillD 112W- acking rings between said bushing and the ing a clearance space around said ro telewalls of said cylindrical opening, bearings Wlthm Said opening, a rod-passmg external to said cylinder member supportthe closedends of the cylinder me ing said rod and the clearance space between ber and packingrings between said bushing e said bushing and said rod opening through .and thewalls of said .cylindrical o enmg, vsaid member to the atmosphere whereby lair Cylm circulation'is induced within said space when der member,'a bed plate on which said memthe piston and rodyeeiproeate,

5. In an internal explosion engine` a Eat-e OIi Wlllcli another `p0rt10n 0f sind memcylinder member 'closed at each end and a r contacts witha freedom of movement to piston, adapted to reeiproeete therein. said 3 110W fOl Changes due t0 temperature Vallpiston having a cylindrical opening through tions. a portion of its length and therebeyond .fixed 2. In an internal explosion engine, a cyl- `en a red, 'Said member having a bushing havinder member closed at each end and a ing a clearance space around said rod tele- IOC-e tilelelll, Sald scopingwithin said opening. a rod passing piston having a cylindrical Opening through through the closed ends of the cylinder mema POIOII 0f lS length emi therebeyqlld iXed ber and packing rings between said bushing on a rod, said member having a bushi ing a clearance space around said ro scoping within said opening,

a Tod Passing Su ortin said rod and the clearance s ace through the closed ends of pp g P -the Cylinder .betweensaid bushing and said rod opening member and packing. rin s between s ld through said member to the atmosphere bushing an@ the .Wells 0 Sala-.0541111111051 whereby air circulation is induced within Opening, Said piston having a @001mg pessaid space when the piston and rod recipsage and an .inlet and an outlet'port for said recate, said piston having a Cooling passage Passage and Sad Cylmdel' member havlng and an inlet and an outlet port for said pascorresponding ports with which said first Sage, named ports register at one 'position of its responding ports with which said first named movement whereby a fluid is adapted to be ports register at one position of its moveadmitted and discharged from Seld passage ment whereby a fiuid is adapted to be ad- 3: III an internal eXPlOSlOIll engine e Cyilnmitteid and discharged from said passage. der member closed at each en d and a piston 6, In an internal explosion engine a cyladapted to reciprocate therein, said piston inder member closed at each end and a pishaving a cylindrical opening through a pOI- ton adapted to reciprocate therein, said pistion of its length and therebeyond fixed ton having a cylindrical opening through on a rod, said member having a bushing hava portion of its length and therebeyond fixed ing e Clearance space around seid IO teleon a rod', said member having a bushing havscoping within said opening, a rod passing ing a clearance space around said rod telethi'ough the closed ends of the cylinder scoping within said opening, a rod passing member and packing rings between said through the closed ends of the cylinder membushing and the walls of said cylindrical ber and packing rings between said bushing opening, said piston having a cooling pasand the walls of said cylindrical opening.

sage and an inlet and an outlet port for said said piston having a cooling passage and passage, and said cylinder member having aninlet and an outlet port for said passage,

corresponding ports with which said first and said cylinder member having correnamed ports register at one position of its sponding ports with which said first named movement whereby a'fluid is adapted to be ports register at one position of its moveadmitted and discharged from said assage, ment whereb .a uidis adapted to be adring packing between the piston an cylinmitted and ischarged lfrom said passage, der member, a bed plate on which said mem- 'ring `packing between the piston and cyl `and said cylinder member having cor-- liV- and the walls of said cylindrical opening,

inder member, a bed plate on which said member is fixed and another portion ofsaid bed late on which another portion ofsaid member contacts with a freedom of movement to allow for changes due to temperature variations, bearings external to said cylinder member supporting said rod and the clearance space between said bushing .and said rod opening through said member to the atmosphere whereby air circulation is i11- duced within said space when the piston and rod reciprocate.

7. In an internal explosion engine a pair of cylinder members and therebetween a third cylinder adapted to receive 'and initially compress an explosive mixture a piston in each cylinder said three pistons rigidly fixed together and mounted on a rod, a cylindrical bored opening extending in each direction from said mounting and concentric and s aced from said.v rod, a. bushing fixed to eac of the end cylinders and spaced from and symmetrically positioned around sa1dv rod forming an a1r space therebetween, and

-telescoping with said cylindrical openings,

a piston rod extending through al1 of said cy inders and externally supported, packing rings between each bushing and the corresponding cylindrical opening.

8. An internal explosive engine comprising elements as set forth in claim 7 and a bed plate on which said third cylinder is fixed on which the other said cylinders are adapted to contact with a freedom of movement to allow for changes due to temperature variations.

9. An internal explosive engine comprising elements as set forth in claim 7,' said pistons in said pair of cylinders each having a cooling passage therethrough with ports to and from said passage and corresponding ports in each of the pairs of cylinders with .which said first named ports register in one osition of said pistons at which time a coollng fluid is adapted to be admitted and discharged from said passages.

g). In an internal explosion engine a pair of c linder members and therebetween a. thir cylinder adapted to receive and initially compress anexplosive mixture a piston lin each cylinder said three pistons rigidly fixed together and ymounted on a rod,a cylindrical bored o ning extendin in each direction from sai mounting and; concentric and spaced from said rod, a bushing' fixed with each of the end cylinders and spaced from and symmetrically positioned around said rod forming an air space therebetween, and telescoping with said cylindrical openings, a piston rod extending through all of said cylinders and externally supported, packing rings between each bushing and the corresponding cylindrical opening,4

bearings external to saidv cylinders suppo ing said rod, the space between said bushings and said rod opening through the cylinder ends to the atmosphere whereby air circulation is induced within said space when the pistons and rod reciprocate.

. 11. An' linternal explosion engine as set forth in claim 10 anda shield member between a cylinder and an adjacent bearing,

adapted t o divert the heated air expelled from said space.'

12. An internal explosive engine comprising elements as set forthin claim 10 and a bed plate on which said third cylinder is fixed on which the other said cylinders are adapted to contact with a freedom of movement to allow for changes due to temperature variations.

13. An internal explosive engine comprisadmitted and discharged from said pasl sages.

WILLIAM r. oli-OUCH. 

